Aboveground swimming pool construction

ABSTRACT

An aboveground swimming pool construction having a substantially rigid base provided with a groove therein, said groove holding the lower edge of a water retaining wall adjacent to an inflatable seal in the groove, decking supported on the upper portion of the wall; recesses in the base removably holding upstanding posts which support said deck outwardly beyond said wall; and fence railing coupled to said posts above said deck.

United States Patent 1 3,641,593

Goettl 1 Feb. 15, 197 2 [54] ABOVEGROUND SWIMMING POOL 3,458,875 8/1969 Michalke et al. ..4/ 172.19

CONSTRUCTION FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [72] Inventor: Adam D. Goettl, PO. Box 10036,

Phoenix, Ariz. 85016 [22] Filed: Feb. 24, 1970 876,480 9/1961 GreatBritain ..4/172.l9 1,138,914 10/1962 Germany ..4/172.l9

Primary Examiner-Herbert F. Ross [21] Appl' 13,698 Assistant Examiner-Henry K. Artis Attorney-Drummond & Phillips [52] US. Cl ..4/172.l9 51 Int. Cl. ..E04h 3/16, E04h 3/18 [57] ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search ..4/172, 172.19, 172.11, 172.12 An aboveground swimming pool construction having a substantially rigid base provided with a groove therein, said [56] Referen e Cit d groove holding the lower edge of a water retaining wall adjacent to an inflatable seal in the groove, decking supported UNITED STATES PATENTS on the upper portion of the wall; recesses in the base removably holding upstanding posts which support said deck Kascle "4/172. outwardly beyond said an ence ailing coupled to l 6 1 8 posts above said deck. 3,447,168 6/1969 10 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures 1 9 in f C i 1 )PATENTEDTEB 15 I972 SHEET 1 SP3 INVENTOR ADAM D. GOETTL ATTORNEYS :EL-EJU IE1: 5 INVENTOR.

1 ADAM D. GOETTL ATTORNEYS ABOVEGROUND SWIMMING POOL CONSTRUCTION Aboveground swimming pool structures have been complex and expensive to install. Furthermore, conventional or prior art aboveground swimming pool structures are not readily and easily disassembled for seasonal removal from the swimming pool site. Many of the aboveground swimming pool structures of the prior art are intended for permanent installation and are therefore constructed in such a manner that considerable time and labor may be required for the removal of such swimming pool structures from the swimming pool site.

The prior art aboveground swimming pool structures employ complicated supports and fixtures for decking that is normally disposed at a level near the upper edge of the upstanding swimming pool water retaining wall structure and the decking as well as railing and fence structures surrounding an upstanding aboveground swimming pool structure is usually constructed in such a manner as to be complicated and require considerable labor and time for the assembly or disassembly thereof.

In accordance with the present invention, a very simple aboveground swimming pool construction affords substantial facility in the assembly and disassembly thereof so that a minimum of time and labor must be expended in connection with the assembly and disassembly of the aboveground swimming pool structure ofthe invention.

The invention comprises novel deck; water retaining wall and fence structures all readily and easily removable from the base structure of the invention.

In accordance with the invention, a concrete base may be cast on the ground and provided with a swimming pool area surrounding groove wherein the lower edge of a water retaining wall is sealed by an expandable or inflatable seal. Disposed outwardly from the swimming pool area water retaining wall are recesses in the concrete base wherein posts are removably positioned. These posts are upstanding and project upwardly through decking which is supported on the posts and an upper portion of the water retaining wall of the invention. The posts, at portions extending above the deck, are fitted with a top rail which is readily removably connected to the posts, and fence sections are readily removably connected to the posts so as to provide assembly and disassembly facility.

The invention comprising the foregoing structure, also includes a beam means supported by the posts, outwardly relative to the swimming pool retaining wall structure, for carrying or supporting slat decking wherein the slats are directed generally toward and away from the swimming pool area.

The invention also comprises novel beam structure secured to the upper portion of the swimming pool water retaining wall structure near the upper edge thereof. This beam structure includes alternately overlapped members at the inner and outer sides of the wall near the upper edge thereof so that such beam structure may be made of redwood or the like. These members are notched in order to permit them to flex readily and conform with curvature of the water retaining wall structure of the invention when the beam members are secured thereto for supporting decking at the upper edge of the water retaining wall structure.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a very simple aboveground swimming pool construction which is readily and easily assembled and disassembled so that the swimming pool construction of the invention may be used seasonally if desired and removed from the site during offseason periods.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel swimming pool construction wherein a base is provided with very simple means for sealingly connecting a water retaining wall structure to the base in relation to readily removable post structures located in recesses in the base; said post structures support decking outwardly relative to the wall structure and in cooperation therewith.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel base and removable deck supporting post structures disposed outwardly relative to a swimming pool water retaining wall structure for=supporting decking aboveground and substantially at a level coinciding with the upper portion of said water retaining wall structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel and simple means for connecting fence sections between upstanding posts of the invention which extend above the decking of an aboveground swimming pool construction.

Other objects and advantages of the invention may be apparent from the following specification, appended claims and accompanying drawings.

FIG. I is a top of plan view of an aboveground swimming pool construction in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view showing the connection of decking to the upper portion of an upstanding water retaining wall structure of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on substantially the same plane as that shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings but showing a modification of the invention wherein slat-type decking is supported on beam structure carried by posts disposed outwardly from the water retaining wall of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 5 but showing a modified structure for connecting the decking to an upper portion of the water retaining wall of the invention;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary plan sectional view taken from the line 8-8 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged plan sectional view taken from the line 99 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. I0 is a fragmentary plan view ofa plurality ofinner and outer beam structures adapted to engage inner and outer sides of a water retaining wall of the invention. The beam members are disposed in end-to-end relationship to each other, the inner beams shown overlapping the outer beams.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 of the drawings, the present invention comprises an aboveground swimming pool construction wherein a base 20 shown best in FIG. 4 of the drawings supports the aboveground swimming pool construction of the invention. This base 20 is provided with a groove 22 therein. This groove 22 is disposed generally to surround a swimming pool area 24 and to hold a lower edge 26 of a water retaining wall 28 which also surrounds the swimming pool area 24. Disposed in the groove 22 is an inflatable seal 30 which sealingly engages the inner side of the wall 28 in the groove 22 and seals the wall 28 in surrounding relation with the swimming pool area 24.

The base 20 is provided with recesses 32 which are disposed in spaced relation relative to an outer side 34 of the wall 28. These recesses 32 are disposed to receive lower ends 35 of upstanding posts 36. Conventional pipeflanges 38 may be disposed on the posts 36 for substantial support of the posts 36 on an upper surface 40 of the base 20. It will be understood that the lower ends 35 of the posts 36 are readily removably disposed in the recesses 32.

Secured to the posts 36 in spaced relation above the upper surface 40 of the base 20 are support members 42. These support members 42 are preferably pipeflanges or the like and are adapted to support decking 44 at a level substantially near the upper edge 46 of the water retaining wall 28. The decking 44 as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, may be resin bonded plywood or other sheet material suitable for swimming pool decking and this decking is provided with openings 48 through which the posts 36 extend vertically to a position substantially above the decking 44 all as shown best in FIG. 4 of the drawings. The posts 36 are preferably hollow cylindrical posts and are provided with upper open ends 50 shown best in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings.

With reference to FIG. 3, it will be seen that the upper open ends 50 of the posts 36 are each plugged by an expandable fitting 52 which supports a fence railing 54. This fence railing 54 is preferably a tubular member and is provided with openings 56 therethrough in which bolts 58 are disposed. Each both 58 extends through an opening 60 in the expandable fitting 52 and is threaded into a wedge plug 62 adapted to expand the skirt 64 of the expandable fitting 52 and secure the fixtures 52 in the respective posts 36 and to thereby hold the tubular rail 54 downwardly on the expandable fixtures 52 and in connection with each upper end ofthe respective posts 36.

It will be seen that fence sections 66 are disposed between adjacent posts 36 above the decking 44 and these fence sections 66 are substantially rectangular structures having clips 68 securing them to the posts 36. These clips 68 are shown best in FIG. 9 of the drawings. Each fence section is provided with a pair of these clips 68 at each opposite end thereof. Each clip 68 is semicircular as shown in FIG. 9 and is provided with an end 70 through which a bolt 72 extends. At an opposite end of each semicircular clip 68, a shank portion 74 extends to carry a respective portion of the fence section 66. Thus, each fence section 66 may be laterally moved into position and connected to the posts 36 by the clamping bolts 72. A rail structure 54 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, terminates at opposite sides 76 and 78 of a stair entrance 80 and at the areas 76 and 78 the structure as shown in FIG. 8, is utilized to connect the fence sections 66 with the respective vertical posts 36 at the opposite sides ofthe stairway entrance 80.

With reference to FIG. 8, it will be seen that a substantially encircling clip 82 is provided with adjacent tabs 84 and 86 through which a bolt 88 extends. This bolt also extends through a shank 90 ofa respective fence section 66 and thus, fence sections 66 adjacent the entrance area 80 are secured to the posts 36.

Leading up to the stair entrance 80 are stairs 91 as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, and at opposite sides of the stairs 91 are hand rails 92 and 94.

The decking 44 is provided with an outer edge structure 96 and an inner edge 98. This inner edge 98 surrounds the upper portion of the swimming pool area, and as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings, this edge 98 slightly overhangs the swimming pool area inwardly relative to the inner side 100 of the water retaining wall 28.

As shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings, the upper edge 46 of the wall 28 supports cross-bolts 102 which extend through beam members 104 and 106 while vertical bolts 108 extend through the beam 106 and the decking 44 for holding it down on the beam members 104 and 106. The beam members 104 and 106 are shown in detail in FIG. I of the drawings. The beam members 104 are provided with adjacent ends 110 and the beams 106 are provided with adjacent ends 112.

Openings 114 extend through both beam members 104 and 106 adjacent to the ends 110 and 112 for receiving the bolts 102 as shown in FIG. of the drawings. The beam 104 is provided with a plurality of notches or saw cuts 116 and the beams 106 are provided with a plurality of notches or sawcuts 118. These notches 116 and 118 reduce the flexing cross section to provide for flexing action of the beams so that they may readily be formed into curved conformity with the wall 28 and into the general curvature of the swimming pool area as shown best in FIG. 1 of the drawings.

The beams 104 and 106 may be of redwood and due to their overlapping relationship, they may be of short sections which are readily and easily stored when disassembled and provide for substantial facility of assembly during the construction of the aboveground swimming pool of the invention. These beams 104 and 106 as shown in FIG. 5 provide substantial support for the decking 44 above the upper edge 46 of the water retaining wall 28 of the invention.

In the structure as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 of the drawings, the decking 44 may be made of sheet material such as plywood or other suitable material and the structure shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings provides for the use ofslats which extend generally toward and away from the swimming pool area surrounded by the wall structure 28.

As shown in FIG. 6, the posts 36 support their flange structures 42 and these flange or support structures 42 support beam members 120. The posts 36 extending upwardly through openings 122 in the beam members 120. Slats I24 are supported on the beam members and the posts 36 also extend through these slats 124. The slats 124 extend generally toward and away from the swimming pool area surrounded by the wall 28 and inner ends of the slats 124 are supported on the beam members 104 and 106 hereinbefore described in connection with the disclosure of FIG. 5.

In the modification as shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings, the decking 44 or slats may be supported on the wall structure 28 by formed clip structures 125. Each clip structure is provided with an inverted U-shaped channel portion 126 clipped over the upper edge 46 ofthe wall structure 28. Integral with the invened U-shaped channel portion 126 is a folded portion 128 having a horizontal flange 130 through which bolts 132 extend and these bolts 132 also extend through the decking 44 for holding it down relative to the flange 130.

In accordance with the foregoing description of the invention, it will be apparent that the posts 36 may readily be disassembled from the top rail 54 by loosening the bolts 58 and removing the expandable fittings 52. Thus, the top rail may readily be removed from the posts. The fence sections 66 may readily be removed by removing the bolts 72 and 88. The decking may readily be removed by loosening the bolts 108 and vertically lifting the decking from its position on the posts 36. The posts 36 may readily be removed at their lower ends from the recesses 32 in the base 24. The inflatable seal 30 may be deflated allowing the lower edge ofthe wall structure 28 to be removed and the wall may be rolled up neatly into a roll. The beams 104 and 106 may be unbolted by removing the bolts 102 to allow these short overlapped sections to individually be stacked and the entire aboveground swimming pool construction of the invention may readily be dismantled so that the base 24 may be used as a patio slab or other useful structure in off-seasons when swimming pools are not generally enjoyed.

Likewise, during the initial construction of the aboveground swimming pool structure of the invention, the base 24 is a simple concrete slab which may be poured preliminary to the assembly and erection of the aboveground swimming pool construction of the invention. The recesses 32 as well as the groove 22 are prelocated to support the decking and the water retaining wall structure of the pool and the fencing and rail structure above the deck is readily assembled in accordance with the foregoing description simply by bolting all of these structures together in a very simple manner.

All of the pans of the swimming pool construction of the invention may be compactly stored when disassembled. The wall structure 28 may be formed into a roll so that it is readily stored.

Iclaim:

I. In an aboveground swimming pool construction, the combination of: a base disposed on the ground, said base having a groove therein generally disposed to surround the lower portion of a swimming pool area; a water retaining wall surrounding said swimming pool area, said wall having a lower edge disposed in said groove; an inflatable seal disposed in said groove and sealingly engaging an inner water retaining side of said wall; said base having post receiving recesses spaced from an outer side of said wall; upstanding posts having lower ends removably disposed in said recesses; said wall having upper and lower edges; and deck means supported on said posts and an upper portion of said wall.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein said posts extend vertically through said deck means; support means carried by said posts and engaged with said deck means for supporting it above said base and outwardly from said wall.

3. In an aboveground swimming pool construction, the combination of: a base disposed on the ground, said base having a groove therein disposed generally to surround the lower portion of a swimming pool area; a water retaining wall surrounding said swimming pool area; said wall having a lower edge disposed in said groove; an inflatable seal disposed in said groove and sealingly engaging an inner water retaining side of said wall; said base having post receiving recesses spaced from an outer side of said wall; upstanding posts having lower ends removably disposed in said recesses; said wall having upper and lower edges; and deck means supported on said posts and an upper portion of said wall, said posts extending vertically through said deck means; support means carried by said posts and engaged with said deck means for supporting it above said base and outwardly from said wall; beams secured to opposite inner and outer sides of said wall at said upper edge thereof; said deck resting on said beams.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3, wherein bolts extend through said beams and are contiguous with said upper edge of said wall and supported thereon; and fixtures coupling said deck to said beams.

5. The invention as defined in claim 3, wherein said beams at said inner and outer sides of said wall alternately overlap each other and sides of said beams adjacent said inner and outer sides of said wall being notched to reduce the flexing cross section of said beams so that they are readily deflectable into curved conforming relation with said wall.

6. In an aboveground swimming pool construction, the combination of: a base disposed on the ground, said base having a recessed groove therein disposed generally to surround the lower portion of a swimming pool area; a water retaining wall surrounding said swimming pool area; said wall having a lower edge disposed in said groove; an inflatable seal disposed in said groove and sealingly engaging an inner water retaining side of said wall; said base having post receiving recesses spaced from an outer side of said wall; upstanding posts having lower ends removably disposed in said recesses; said wall having an upper edge; deck means supported on an upper portion of said wall; said posts extending vertically through said deck means; support means carried by said posts; beam structure carried on said support means; and slat decking supported on said beam structure and an upper portion of said wall.

7. In an aboveground swimming pool construction. the combination of: a base disposed on the ground. said base having a recessed groove therein disposed generally to surround the lower portion of a swimming pool area; a water retaining wall surrounding said swimming pool area; said wall having a lower edge disposed in said groove; an inflatable seal disposed in said groove and sealingly engaging an inner water retaining side of said wall; said base having post receiving recesses spaced from an outer side of said wall; upstanding posts having lower ends removably disposed in said recesses; and deck means supported on said posts and an upper portion of said wall; said posts extending vertically through said deck means, support means on said posts and supporting said deck means above said base and outwardly from said wall; said posts having upper portions extending above said deck; said posts spaced apart in a horizontal direction; and fence structures secured between said posts above said deck.

8. The invention as defined in claim 7, wherein said fence structures are provided with clips having semicircular post-engaging portions adapted, at opposite ends of said fence structures, to engage opposite sides of said posts; and bolts clamping said clips against opposite sides of said posts to secure said fence structures thereto.

9. The invention as defined in claim 7, wherein a top rail is removably secured to upper ends of said posts.

10. The invention as defined in claim 7, wherein a top rail is removably secured to upper ends of said posts, said posts being hollow and tubular; expandable rail receiving fixtures removably disposed in upper ends of said posts; and bolts extending through said top rail and into said expandable rail securing fixtures whereby tightening of said bolts causes expansive fixation of said rail securing fixtures in said posts. 

1. In an aboveground swimming pool construction, the combination of: a base disposed on the ground, said base having a groove therein generally disposed to surround the lower portion of a swimming pool area; a water retaining wall surrounding said swimming pool area, said wall having a lower edge disposed in said groove; an inflatable seal disposed in said groove and sealingly engaging an inner water retaining side of said wall; said base having post receiving recesses spaced from an outer side of said wall; upstanding posts having lower ends removably disposed in said recesses; said wall having upper and lower edges; and deck means supported on said posts and an upper portion of said wall.
 2. The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein said posts extend vertically through said deck means; support means carried by said posts and engaged with said deck means for supporting it above said base and outwardly from said wall.
 3. In an aboveground swimming pool construction, the combination of: a base disposed on the ground, said base having a groove therein disposed generally to surround the lower portion of a swimming pool area; a water retaining wall surrounding said swimming pool area; said wall having a lower edge disposed in said groove; an inflatable seal disposed in said groove and sealingly engaging an inner water retaining side of said wall; said base having post receiving recesses spaced from an outer side of said wall; upstanding posts having lower ends removably disposed in said recesses; said wall having upper and lower edges; and deck means supported on said posts and an upper portion of said wall, said posts extending vertically through said deck means; support means carried by said posts and engaged with said deck means for supporting it above said base and outwardly from said wall; beams secured to opposite inner and outer sides of said wall at said upper edge thereof; said deck resting on said beams.
 4. The invention as defined in claim 3, wherein bolts extend through said beams and are contiguous with said upper edge of said wall and supported thereon; and fixtures coupling said deck to said beams.
 5. The invention as defined in claim 3, wherein said beams at said inner and outer sides of said wall alternately overlap each other and sides of said beams adjacent said inner and outer sides of said wall being notched to reduce the flexing cross section of said beams so that they are readily deflectable into curved conforming relation with said wall.
 6. In an aboveground swimming pool construction, the combination of: a base disposed on the ground, said base having a recessed groove therein disposed generally to surround the lower portion of a swimming pool area; a water retaining wall surrounding said swimming pool area; said wall having a lower edge disposed in said groove; an inflatable seal disposed in said groove and sealingly engaging an inner water retaining side of said wall; said base having post receiving recesses spaced from an outer side of said wall; upstanding posts having lower ends removably disposed in said recesses; said wall having an upper edge; deck means supported on an upper portion of said wall; said posts extending vertically through said deck means; support means carried by said posts; beam structure carried on said support means; and slat decking supported on said beam structure and an upper portion of said wall.
 7. In an aboveground swimming pOol construction, the combination of: a base disposed on the ground, said base having a recessed groove therein disposed generally to surround the lower portion of a swimming pool area; a water retaining wall surrounding said swimming pool area; said wall having a lower edge disposed in said groove; an inflatable seal disposed in said groove and sealingly engaging an inner water retaining side of said wall; said base having post receiving recesses spaced from an outer side of said wall; upstanding posts having lower ends removably disposed in said recesses; and deck means supported on said posts and an upper portion of said wall; said posts extending vertically through said deck means, support means on said posts and supporting said deck means above said base and outwardly from said wall; said posts having upper portions extending above said deck; said posts spaced apart in a horizontal direction; and fence structures secured between said posts above said deck.
 8. The invention as defined in claim 7, wherein said fence structures are provided with clips having semicircular post-engaging portions adapted, at opposite ends of said fence structures, to engage opposite sides of said posts; and bolts clamping said clips against opposite sides of said posts to secure said fence structures thereto.
 9. The invention as defined in claim 7, wherein a top rail is removably secured to upper ends of said posts.
 10. The invention as defined in claim 7, wherein a top rail is removably secured to upper ends of said posts, said posts being hollow and tubular; expandable rail receiving fixtures removably disposed in upper ends of said posts; and bolts extending through said top rail and into said expandable rail securing fixtures whereby tightening of said bolts causes expansive fixation of said rail securing fixtures in said posts. 